random discussions here - A Greener Indiana2018-02-18T04:55:47Zhttp://agreenerindiana.com/forum/categories/random-discussions-here/listForCategory?feed=yes&xn_auth=noEcotech Institute is Again Offering “Introduction to Sustainability” as a Free Online Course to the Publictag:agreenerindiana.com,2014-01-28:1995154:Topic:847062014-01-28T02:03:32.760ZMolly Kochhttp://agreenerindiana.com/profile/MollyKoch
<p>With more than 700 participants from around the world, Ecotech Institute’s first “massive online open course” (MOOC) was a tremendous success. The course kicked off last May through the Canvas Network, a common method for highly esteemed educational institutions to offer free courses to the public. Due to the overwhelming response, <a href="http://www.ecotechinstitute.com/">Ecotech Institute</a> is hosting the 10-week course again, beginning today January 27, 2014. The free online class is…</p>
<p>With more than 700 participants from around the world, Ecotech Institute’s first “massive online open course” (MOOC) was a tremendous success. The course kicked off last May through the Canvas Network, a common method for highly esteemed educational institutions to offer free courses to the public. Due to the overwhelming response, <a href="http://www.ecotechinstitute.com/">Ecotech Institute</a> is hosting the 10-week course again, beginning today January 27, 2014. The free online class is open to anyone who has an interest in sustainability. To register, visit <a href="http://www.canvas.net/courses/intro-to-sustainability-1">www.canvas.net/courses/intro-to-sustainability-1</a>.</p>
<p>Kyle Crider, Ecotech Institute’s Program Chair and Manager of Environmental Operations, will teach the course again. Ecotech Institute, based in Colorado, is the first and only college entirely focused on sustainability-related job training. This course allows Ecotech to extend its reach to people beyond the campus, offering insight into how sustainability affects everyone, every day.</p>
<p>The course covers a broad spectrum of topics including, but not limited to, <b>understanding environmental impacts</b> (climate change, greenhouse gases, depleting resources), <b>social consequences</b> (impact of decisions on health, poverty, income distribution) and <b>financial opportunities</b> (emerging industries, job creation). The course explores various definitions of sustainability and students will learn ways to apply sustainable concepts in their own lives.</p>
<p>“This course helps participants think critically about environmental sustainability and how it impacts people at all levels, from corporate behavior to personal lives,” said Crider. “The highlight for many participants is the capstone project where students have to write their own sustainability-focused mission, vision and goals. Participants didn’t just learn, they became inspired to make long-lasting positive change.”</p>
<p>The initial <a href="https://www.canvas.net/courses/intro-to-sustainability-1">Introduction to Sustainability online course</a> was incredibly interactive, with 1,172 discussion posts covering more than 30 topics. Some of the feedback includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>“I'll always remember it as the course that gave me the push I needed in deciding to continue study in a master’s program in Sustainability.”</li>
<li>“I learned a lot, removed some general misconceptions about sustainability, and am truly inspired to continue learning and reading more about these topics. Plus, I am taking actions to change my personal habits.”</li>
<li>“It was a much needed eye opener and has inspired me to open a consulting business (which I did last week) and have a little fun helping people save themselves...well, from themselves!“</li>
</ul>
<p>Upon completion of the course, students should also better understand:</p>
<ul>
<li>triple bottom line (people, planet, profit, or <i>Three Pillars</i>);</li>
<li>thermodynamics;</li>
<li>fossil fuels;</li>
<li>the balance and relationship between air, land, water resources and techniques for protecting and/or enhancing each;</li>
<li>human impact on biodiversity and the planet;</li>
<li>core concepts of green building rating systems; and</li>
<li>the possibilities of solar and wind power to meet future energy needs, as well as natural gas, nuclear power and biofuels.</li>
</ul>
<p>Each weekly topic includes a multimedia introduction/overview, short supplemental reading assignments and optional, more in-depth materials for those who want to enhance their knowledge in specific areas. Students will take multiple-choice quizzes and develop a personal sustainability vision, mission and goals. Students are also encouraged to network and collaborate with each other through discussion forums and Q&amp;A sessions.</p>
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<p>Space is limited, so sign up for the <a href="https://www.canvas.net/courses/intro-to-sustainability-1">Introduction to Sustainability online course</a> today. </p> Ecotech Institute’s First Free Online Course, “Introduction to Sustainability,” Receives Positive Student Feedbacktag:agreenerindiana.com,2013-08-19:1995154:Topic:840352013-08-19T19:14:38.839ZMolly Kochhttp://agreenerindiana.com/profile/MollyKoch
<p align="center"><b>Ecotech Institute’s First Free Online Course, <br></br> “Introduction to Sustainability,” Receives Positive Student Feedback</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b><br></br></b> <i>Course Provided New Ways of Looking at Sustainability to U.S. and International Students</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p>Descriptions such as “inspiring” and “eye-opening” were included in student feedback from Ecotech Institute’s recent free online “Introduction to Sustainability”…</p>
<p align="center"><b>Ecotech Institute’s First Free Online Course, <br/> “Introduction to Sustainability,” Receives Positive Student Feedback</b></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><b><br/></b> <i>Course Provided New Ways of Looking at Sustainability to U.S. and International Students</i></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"></p>
<p>Descriptions such as “inspiring” and “eye-opening” were included in student feedback from Ecotech Institute’s recent free online “Introduction to Sustainability” course.</p>
<p>Students came from “all walks of life and from around the globe,” according to Kyle Crider, Ecotech Institute’s Program Chair and Manager of Environmental Operations, who led the course. There was a diverse mix of men and women in the class, ranging in educational background from high school to Ph.D., about half of whom had never taken an online course before.</p>
<p>“Many participants were so engaged that they actually requested that the class continue beyond the ten weeks,” said Crider. The course was designed to help participants think critically about environmental sustainability and how it impacts people at all levels, from corporate behavior to personal lives.</p>
<p>The course was Ecotech Institute’s first “massive online open course” (MOOC) through the Canvas Network, a popular way for educational institutions to offer free courses to the public. Based in Aurora, Colorado, Ecotech Institute is the only college entirely focused on sustainability-related job training.</p>
<p>The course explored various definitions of sustainability used by governments, businesses and individuals to address environmental, societal and economic problems around the world. In addition, students learned ways to apply sustainable concepts in their own lives, including the capstone project of writing their own sustainability-focused mission, vision and goals.</p>
<p>Some of the feedback includes:</p>
<ul>
<li>“I'll always remember it as the course that gave me the push I needed in deciding to continue study in a master’s program in Sustainability.”</li>
<li>“I learned a lot, removed some general misconceptions about sustainability, and am truly inspired to continue learning and reading more about these topics. Plus, I am taking actions to change my personal habits.”</li>
<li>“It was a much needed eye opener and has inspired me to open a consulting business (which I did last week) and have a little fun helping people save themselves...well, from themselves!“</li>
</ul>
<p>MOOC instructor Crider continued, “I was invigorated by the engagement and passion that came from the course attendees and we were able to explore a wide variety of critical topics together. The diverse student population supports the fact that regardless of our differences we all live on the same planet and collectively need to play our part.”</p>
<p>Due to the overwhelming positive feedback, Ecotech Institute plans to offer future MOOC courses. The school will provide updates on future courses through its Facebook page, which users can “like” to access. For more information on Ecotech Institute visit <a href="http://www.ecotechinstitute.com">www.ecotechinstitute.com</a>.</p> Tonights Meeting was awesome!tag:agreenerindiana.com,2013-02-27:1995154:Topic:782512013-02-27T01:52:52.972ZGeorge P. Meadehttp://agreenerindiana.com/profile/GeorgePMeade
<p>I'm just going to say a little but the women that spoke tonight was from Green Piece and now is Ask Renee .After disscussion was better than expected.</p>
<p>Keep talking to each other . Thanks to all I did and listened to me too.</p>
<p>George</p>
<p>I'm just going to say a little but the women that spoke tonight was from Green Piece and now is Ask Renee .After disscussion was better than expected.</p>
<p>Keep talking to each other . Thanks to all I did and listened to me too.</p>
<p>George</p> Germany's economy is doing the best AND they are working hardest for renewable energytag:agreenerindiana.com,2012-06-20:1995154:Topic:745072012-06-20T14:06:24.818ZEric Stallsmithhttp://agreenerindiana.com/profile/EricStallsmith
<p>I saw a graph on the news that showed just how much better Germany's economy has is and has gotten. Germany is also pushing the hardest for renewable energy. There must be some relationship, but I couldn't find any articles on that. Perhaps it is better for the economy to build up our renewable energy than previously thought. It is not easy to calculate the effect of things that haven't happened.</p>
<p>I saw a graph on the news that showed just how much better Germany's economy has is and has gotten. Germany is also pushing the hardest for renewable energy. There must be some relationship, but I couldn't find any articles on that. Perhaps it is better for the economy to build up our renewable energy than previously thought. It is not easy to calculate the effect of things that haven't happened.</p> Wildlife Services' deadly force opens Pandora's box of environmental problemstag:agreenerindiana.com,2012-04-30:1995154:Topic:736282012-04-30T14:51:07.287ZEllenhttp://agreenerindiana.com/profile/EllenLey
<p>Wildlife Services is a federal agency of the USDA that operates in secrecy, using brutal traps, poison and aerial gunning to kill thousands of animals, with accidental victims that include federally protected species, family pets and injured people.</p>
<p>On terrain owned by the American public, …</p>
<p>Wildlife Services is a federal agency of the USDA that operates in secrecy, using brutal traps, poison and aerial gunning to kill thousands of animals, with accidental victims that include federally protected species, family pets and injured people.</p>
<p>On terrain owned by the American public, <a style="font-family: Georgia,'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; display: inline; cursor: pointer;" class=" lingo_link lingo_link_hidden" href="http://topics.sacbee.com/Wildlife+Services/" rel="nofollow">Wildlife Services</a> is waging a war against predators deemed a threat to agriculture, the public, and – more recently – the environment.</p>
<p>Since 2000, its employees have killed nearly a million coyotes, mostly in the West. They have destroyed millions of birds, from nonnative starlings to migratory shorebirds, along with a colorful menagerie of more than 300 other species, including black bears, beavers, porcupines, river otters, mountain lions and wolves.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/30/147106/california-wildlife-services-methods.html">http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/30/147106/california-wildlife-services-methods.html</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/30/4452212/wildllife-services-deadly-force.html">http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/30/4452212/wildllife-services-deadly-force.html</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.nrdc.org/wildlife/animals/wolves/predatorcontrol.asp">http://www.nrdc.org/wildlife/animals/wolves/predatorcontrol.asp</a></p>
<div style="font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; width: 1px; height: 1px; text-align: left; color: #000000; text-transform: none; overflow: hidden; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">Read more here: <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/30/147106/california-wildlife-services-methods.html#storylink=cpy">http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/30/147106/california-wildlife-services-methods.html#storylink=cpy</a></div>
<div style="font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; width: 1px; height: 1px; text-align: left; color: #000000; text-transform: none; overflow: hidden; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">Read more here: <a href="http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/30/147106/california-wildlife-services-methods.html#storylink=cpy">http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2012/04/30/147106/california-wildlife-services-methods.html#storylink=cpy</a></div>
<div style="font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; width: 1px; height: 1px; text-align: left; color: #000000; text-transform: none; overflow: hidden; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">Read more here: <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/30/4452212/wildllife-services-deadly-force.html#storylink=cpy">http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/30/4452212/wildllife-services-deadly-force.html#storylink=cpy</a></div>
<div style="font: 10pt/normal sans-serif; width: 1px; height: 1px; text-align: left; color: #000000; text-transform: none; overflow: hidden; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal;">Read more here: <a href="http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/30/4452212/wildllife-services-deadly-force.html#storylink=cpy">http://www.sacbee.com/2012/04/30/4452212/wildllife-services-deadly-force.html#storylink=cpy</a></div> Please Sign Clean Water Petition - click linktag:agreenerindiana.com,2012-03-20:1995154:Topic:726642012-03-20T13:52:20.632ZAbigail King (Frost-King)http://agreenerindiana.com/profile/AbigailKing
<p><a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-congress-access-to-clean-drinking-water-is-a-basic-human-right?utm_medium=facebook&amp;utm_source=share_petition&amp;utm_term=own_wall" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO PROTECT YOUR DRINKING WATER!</a></p>
<p></p>
<h5 class="header why-important">Why This Is Important</h5>
<p></p>
<p>The Clean Water Act - one of our nation’s key pieces of environmental legislation - allows millions of American’s to reclaim our nation’s waterways and make them safe…</p>
<p><a href="http://www.change.org/petitions/tell-congress-access-to-clean-drinking-water-is-a-basic-human-right?utm_medium=facebook&amp;utm_source=share_petition&amp;utm_term=own_wall" target="_blank">CLICK HERE TO PROTECT YOUR DRINKING WATER!</a></p>
<p></p>
<h5 class="header why-important">Why This Is Important</h5>
<p></p>
<p>The Clean Water Act - one of our nation’s key pieces of environmental legislation - allows millions of American’s to reclaim our nation’s waterways and make them safe for swimming, drinking, and fishing. Sadly, <strong>the Clean Water Act is currently under attack.</strong></p>
<p>A growing chorus of big polluters and their cronies in Congress is working to convince the public that the Clean Water Act is a “job killer” - equating environmental protection with economic disaster. The U.S. House of Representatives has spent this year - ironically, the 40th anniversary of the Clean Water Act - relentlessly trying to undermine the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and our environmental laws. They are taking direct aim at the Clean Water Act and seeking to strip the federal government’s authority to regulate water quality standards. They even want to weaken the EPA’s power to enforce the law and protect OUR communities!</p>
<p>One particularly egregious example exempts from the Clean Water Act pesticide applications in and around public waters. Pesticides are designed to be toxic to living things. They contaminate drinking water and are especially harmful to fish and amphibian life.</p>
<p>This bill has passed the House and is <strong>now pending in the US Senate.</strong> </p>
<p>Polluters have money and that buys political influence, but there's power in numbers. Together, we can fight back. </p>
<p><strong>On this World Water Day, join Waterkeeper Alliance in protecting the Clean Water Act for the health of our communities and the environment.</strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>CLEAN WATER CREATES JOBS!</p>
<p></p>
<p>Approximately $334.8 billion dollars are needed to fund the projects necessary to continue to <br/> provide safe drinking water to the public. “The nation’s water systems having entered a ‘rehabilitation and replacement era’ in which much of water utilities’ existing infrastructure have reached or are approaching the end of useful life (US EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs <br/> Survey and Assessment, 4th Report to Congress, Feb. 2009, pg. 3).</p>
<p>Investing this amount now would inject a quarter of a trillion dollars into the economy, create nearly 1.3 million direct and indirect jobs, and result in 568,000 additional jobs from increased spending. Investing in stormwater management programs would also clean up the nation’s waters. Every year, 860 billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage spills into our waterways. Cities discharge about 40 billion gallons of raw and partially treated sewage into the Great Lakes annually (“Water Works: Rebuilding Infrastructure, Creating Jobs and Greening the Environment,” - American Rivers, Green For All and the Economic Policy Institute 2011).</p>
<p>The Brookings Institution reported that Great Lakes restoration creates jobs in the short-term while laying the foundation for long-term prosperity—providing $2 in economic benefit for every $1 investment in restoration. Economists at Grand Valley State University in Michigan concluded that a $10 million investment to restore Muskegon Lake in Michigan is generating more than $66 million return on investment through higher property values, increased tourism, and an expanded tax base. More than 1.5 million U.S. jobs are directly connected to the Great Lakes, generating $62 billion in wages annually, according to an analysis by Michigan Sea Grant at the University of Michigan.</p>
<p>The looming sequestration of funds (as outlined in last year’s debt deal) starting in January 2013 will also result in an indiscriminate 8 percent across-the-board cut to all federal agencies, including EPA and the GLRI, unless a more sustainable debt agreement can be reached this year. It’s <br/> imperative that public officials understand that cuts to restoration programs will not save the <br/> government money. Cutting restoration programs will cost more, because projects will only get more difficult and expensive the longer we wait. Want to create 1.9 million American jobs and add $265 billion to the economy? INVEST in our water infrastructure. (Healing Our Water 2011)</p>
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<p> </p> Vote for the Greenest candidate who has a chance to win- Register Here!tag:agreenerindiana.com,2012-03-14:1995154:Topic:726192012-03-14T07:08:17.386ZTom Butlerhttp://agreenerindiana.com/profile/TomButler
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage"><span class="messageBody"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://indianavoters.in.gov/PublicSite/OVR/Introduction.aspx?Link=Polling&amp;AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow nofollow"><span>https://indianavoters.in.gov/</span><span>PublicSite/OVR/</span><span>Introduction.aspx?Link=Polling&amp;</span>AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1</a></span></span></h6>
<h6 class="uiStreamMessage"><span class="messageBody"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="https://indianavoters.in.gov/PublicSite/OVR/Introduction.aspx?Link=Polling&amp;AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow nofollow"><span>https://indianavoters.in.gov/</span><span>PublicSite/OVR/</span><span>Introduction.aspx?Link=Polling&amp;</span>AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1</a></span></span></h6> Coke & Pepsi -vs- Youtag:agreenerindiana.com,2012-03-11:1995154:Topic:721022012-03-11T04:21:49.961ZRoberthttp://agreenerindiana.com/profile/Robert27
<p>Coke, Pepsi to drop level of 'cancer' chemical</p>
<p><a href="http://m.medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-coke-pepsi-cancer-chemical.html">http://m.medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-coke-pepsi-cancer-chemical.html</a></p>
<p>Coke, Pepsi to drop level of 'cancer' chemical</p>
<p><a href="http://m.medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-coke-pepsi-cancer-chemical.html">http://m.medicalxpress.com/news/2012-03-coke-pepsi-cancer-chemical.html</a></p> Greening the Heartland Conference in Indy!tag:agreenerindiana.com,2012-02-22:1995154:Topic:717832012-02-22T19:25:01.025ZChristin Kappelhttp://agreenerindiana.com/profile/ChristinKappel
<p>Greening the Heartland is a regional conference dedicated to the midwest states. It travels every year to a new city and this year is this first to be here in Indiana. This conference will include big name speakers in the sustainability world as well as break out sessions and presentations covering all topics of sustainability and living green.</p>
<p>At Greening the Heartland 2012, they will explore interdependent elements of sustainability. While green buildings are critical components in…</p>
<p>Greening the Heartland is a regional conference dedicated to the midwest states. It travels every year to a new city and this year is this first to be here in Indiana. This conference will include big name speakers in the sustainability world as well as break out sessions and presentations covering all topics of sustainability and living green.</p>
<p>At Greening the Heartland 2012, they will explore interdependent elements of sustainability. While green buildings are critical components in the design of sustainable communities, their key advantages rely on relative pathways and infrastructure - a context they will address in the conference as watts, water, waste and wheels. Providing buildings with clean energy, a precious supply of water, the efficient use of materials while minimizing waste, and a convenient and sustainable means of arrival results in truly green buildings and sustainable development.<br/><br/>The theme BUILDING COMMUNITY indicates their genuine desire to bring people together to share visions and solutions for sustainable communities in which to work, play, learn and live. They will also seek to join business and community leaders with green building professionals and product suppliers to achieve greater understanding of how environmental, economic and social trends of the maturing 21st century will influence our Heartland communities.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>We are currently looking for sponsors and exhibitors to participate in this exciting event for Indianapolis. Over 1000 attendees and exhibitors will come from throughout the midwest to be a part of it and you can too!</p>
<p>For more information please check out the website!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greeningtheheartland.org" target="_blank">Greening the Heartland Website</a></p>
<p> </p> Zombie Beestag:agreenerindiana.com,2012-02-17:1995154:Topic:717272012-02-17T04:51:18.263ZRoberthttp://agreenerindiana.com/profile/Robert27
<div style="text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none;"><p>Parasitic fly creates "zombie bees" -- a new factor explaining Colony Collapse Disorder…</p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/qgnwP*MAugVL-Aj*mBPswi2h0ch5F0N6eGp8dwd5G6Ffk1N84YOaf59AZNHUaUYbSVQQeSqVpiutLQfHZ7khsiXgD6UsBG0C/beesfinal_dees.jpg" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/qgnwP*MAugVL-Aj*mBPswi2h0ch5F0N6eGp8dwd5G6Ffk1N84YOaf59AZNHUaUYbSVQQeSqVpiutLQfHZ7khsiXgD6UsBG0C/beesfinal_dees.jpg" width="382"></img></a></p>
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<div style="text-align: left; background-color: #ffffff; color: #000000; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none;"><p>Parasitic fly creates "zombie bees" -- a new factor explaining Colony Collapse Disorder</p>
<p><a href="http://api.ning.com:80/files/qgnwP*MAugVL-Aj*mBPswi2h0ch5F0N6eGp8dwd5G6Ffk1N84YOaf59AZNHUaUYbSVQQeSqVpiutLQfHZ7khsiXgD6UsBG0C/beesfinal_dees.jpg" target="_self"><img class="align-left" src="http://api.ning.com:80/files/qgnwP*MAugVL-Aj*mBPswi2h0ch5F0N6eGp8dwd5G6Ffk1N84YOaf59AZNHUaUYbSVQQeSqVpiutLQfHZ7khsiXgD6UsBG0C/beesfinal_dees.jpg" width="382"/></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/01/05/scientists_parasite_zombie_bees/">http://www.theregister.co.uk/2012/01/05/scientists_parasite_zombie_bees/</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0105/Zombie-bees-Fly-parasite-causes-zombie-like-stupor">http://www.csmonitor.com/Science/2012/0105/Zombie-bees-Fly-parasite-causes-zombie-like-stupor</a></p>
<p><a href="http://news.discovery.com/animals/parasite-bees-zombies-010512.html">http://news.discovery.com/animals/parasite-bees-zombies-010512.html</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0029639?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+plosone%2FEvolutionaryBiology+%28PLoS+ONE+Alerts%3A+Evolutionary+Biology%29">http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0029639?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=feed&amp;utm_campaign=Feed%3A+plosone%2FEvolutionaryBiology+%28PLoS+ONE+Alerts%3A+Evolutionary+Biology%29</a></p>
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